The C(rank) to the S course

Being a private student, I didn't get to go into the circuit till like after 8 lessons. One common 'must-know' for most of the stations is the correct turning point. So why do I have just one post solely for the S and Crank courses. I'm sure there are peeps out there like me that have problems initially with these stations. It took me like 3 visits to the circuit and a lot of mounting and striking kerbs before I could even do these stations without a hitch.

Let's start with the S course first. At BBDC, it always start with a turn to the left. My reference in this case is actually just slightly after the side mirror passes the kerb, full lock to the left and that will take you into the course without striking or horrors, mount the kerb!

Once in, I would turn the wheel slightly to the right and concentrate on the front of the car. When you see the bonnet covering the kerb (it may look like you are going over the kerb but not too worry there, it will not) quickly adjust the wheel to the right. By doing so, the car will be more or less in the centre. You can take a quick glance at the side mirror on the passenger's side which will give me an idea how much allowance you have on the other side. Now you start adjusting your car according to the course but when you head to the next 'turn', the bonnet rule applies. Bonnet covers kerb, quickly turn to the right.
Same principle applies on the left turn and after that, you are at the end of the S course.

For the crank course, you have to be really, really accurate on your turning points and fast on the wheel. For left entry into the course, once the side mirror is at parallel to the entry kerb, full lock to the left and once car is almost straightened, very important return the wheel straight, i.e. 2 rounds to the right. This way you do not have to turn like mad when you hit the next curve. Again, turning point is the kerb, full lock to the right and repeat the motion. One more turn to the left and you're done. For entry from the right, you can just turn into the course and just follow the mirror, kerb, full lock move after that.

A note on speed, you have to really learn to control that. Afterall, it's a short course and you will need the time to turn the wheel.

Thanks!

Short post today. Promise I'll get on with more on driving when I get off work. Thanks for visiting my blog and if you have things to share, please please do leave me a comment cos I do need all the help when I go for my TP in July.

Lane Change and U-turn

You know how us learner drivers always have to stick to the left lane. So in order to do a U-turn or a right turn, there is the need to lane-change. I was taught this in my fourth lesson, and trust me it proved to be the bane of my existence!

My first lane change was done at the stretch of Bukit Batok Road with a speed limit of 70km/h. My instructor kept saying I need to speed up to at least 60km/h, look at the rear mirror, signal, when clear, check side mirror, quick check of the blind spot than move to the next lane gradually. All these while maintaining the speed, scary for someone like me who had previously only went up to 45km/h at that time. How the hell am I suppose to do so much in such a short time!

My problems here lines in:-

1. I have a problem judging the distance of the vehicles when I look at the rear mirror.

2. I have a nasty habit of checking blind spot and moving the car at the same time, thus my car will tend to swerve. Very 

     dangerous!

3. Not enough acceleration.

4. Lo and behold, bad judgement, I don't know when I should accelerate or slow down.

So after like another 4 lessons, I managed to find some solutions to my horrendous lane change.

1. When you can see the car(s) fully, i.e every single bit of the car from the rear mirror, that would probably mean that the

     car is quite a distance from you. However you have to keep up your acceleration so that the car will not catch up to   

     yours.

2. Blind spot checking have to be done quick but while doing so, keep shoulders firm while holding on to the wheel. This

     way, your hand will not move along with your head while doing the check. 

3. Remember to keep constant pressure on the accelerator and don't turn the wheel too much. At a higher speed, eg 

     60km/h, a slight turn (like the clocking moving 5 minutes), you can steer your car very smoothly into the next lane.

4. OK, the last point is a matter of common sense. When traffic is quite clear behind you, make sure you speed up to 

    complete the process. If the traffic is fierce, that is when you may have to slow down so you can wait for an opening.

After you had managed to do the required lane change in order to complete the U-turn, you must remember when approaching the position, start slowing down. I always have to remind myself not to slow down too far before the U-turn as that would mean road hogging should there be vehicles behind you.

In a 3-lane situation, you can wait for the 1st and 2nd lane to be clear to complete the process. I know that in theory, but in real life, I tend to wait for the road to be clear. I have to add though, I have improved quite a bit cos now I could complete the U-turn if 1st and 2nd lane are clear. For a 2-lane road, the road has to be completely clear cos the turning radius is sharper. Sharper does not mean a full-lock though. How much to turn really depends on the road. Remember to control speed while turning and once you have straighten the car, accelerate and then do a rear mirror check.

Even though I can blabbed about it so much, I am in no way efficient at all. In fact, it's my weakest maneuver. So the next time I do this, I have to make sure I think all the pointers through before acting, and not rush to complete it which equals to not safe!

Oh Oh.... One more thing before I sign off, do not hesitate when it comes to lane change! Very very important.

Turn you car!

I am one of those that cab it to almost anywhere and when you are sitting in the backseat, watching the taxi-uncle make turns, it really looks like a piece of cake. Just turn the steering wheel and voila, you turned. But when you are a learner driver only taking to the wheel like 2 times, you will know that it's not just that simple. Anticipating when to turn and how much to turn does take some practice to get it right.

First up speed control, when you are going to make a turn, start slowing down before you reach the turn. When to slow down depends on the speed you are going. Remember to check your rear mirror before doing so, this is to not cause the driver behind you to suddenly jam brake if he is too close to you. Next signal, if going left, keep the car closer to the left and turning right, to the right. Check you blind spot before maneuvering your car. Important safety check. Once you are in the right position, start turning the steering wheel once your side mirror is parallel to the kerb, how much to turn when depend on the angle. This is no guide here to tell you do a full or lock or 1.5 turn. You have to know how much and that comes with going through the motion repeatedly. Also, remember you can't leisurely turn your wheel cos you may end up turning too late and too wide, so hands have to move faster. Look far ahead, ignore the temptation to check the side mirror to see if you are too close to the kerb. You'll find it easy that way to judge when you car is almost straightened and quickly straighten your wheels. Only start checking your rear mirror after straightening the car. This way will ensure that your car will not veer off course.

My greatest mistake(s) here is not slowing down to the desired speed and also not moving my hands first enough. I'm going to tell my instructor this when I start my revision lesson in 2 weeks' time so I can work on it.